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If you’ve cuddled up on the couch with your pet lately and noticed that his breath was less than fresh, it might be time for a pet dental exam. Bad breath is often the first sign of dental disease, a common but preventable condition in pets.

So common, in fact, that it is cited as the most common health problem in pets, according to the American Veterinary Dental College. By the time pets are 4 years of age, over 85% of them have some form of dental disease, whether it be gingivitis or periodontitis. More than bad breath, dental disease can cause significant pain, tooth loss, and even systemic disease of major organs when bacteria from your pet’s mouth enter the bloodstream.

A pet dental exam is the first step in determining the extent of the problem, and normally occurs as a part of your pet’s annual wellness visit. But what exactly happens at a pet dental exam, and what can it show? Blue Valley Animal Hospital is decoding the pet dental exam, here.

Did you know that by the time a pet is 4 years old, 85% have some form of dental disease? It’s a sad fact that most of us don’t know what’s going on in our pet’s mouths. After all, who really wants to go poking around in there with all those sharp teeth?

Because one of the best ways to prevent plaque and tartar buildup on your pet’s teeth and gums is daily toothbrushing, getting familiar with the inside of your pet’s mouth is exactly what we are encouraging you to do! You may be rolling your eyes or giggling at that, but bear with us! Brushing your pet’s teeth is not as hard as you think. And Blue Valley Animal Hospital is here to give you the dish on exactly how to do it.

Each new year is brimming with promise and possibility. We look forward to all we think might happen, and we do our best to embrace the unpredictable. But what about our pets? Given the chance, they might make some healthier choices in the new year, but mostly, they rely on us to make the best choices on their behalf. To that end, we offer some New Year’s resolutions that support overall pet wellness and lifelong health.

Don’t Worry, it’s Easy!

When it comes to pet wellness, your cat or dog depends on you. The good news is that it’s never been easier to achieve a healthier, happier lifestyle together. With the following pet wellness resolutions, we’re sure you and your pet will be blazing new trails in 2019. Enjoy!

Over the course of the year, we’ve had the pleasure and privilege to meet and reconnect with many of you and your pets. We’ve shared laughter as well as a few tears, and we’ve been grateful for all of it. 2018 was a very full year, full of learning new things and growing together.

Providing you with our weekly pet care blog is another way we share in ongoing learning. We are humbled that many of you are reading our blog, and we hope you’ve enjoyed topics on wellness care, seasonal safety, and specific illnesses that affect pets. In fact, we looked at which blogs resonated with you the most, and we’ve put together Blue Valley Animal Hospital’s top 10 most popular blogs of 2018.

Are you decking the halls this season? Most of us celebrate one or more of the winter holidays, which usually means partake in the delicious food, beautiful decorations, and friend and family gatherings that the season brings. Of course, we love to include our pets in this special time of year, they’re part of the family, after all!

But some of the things that come with holiday festivities can pose serious health and safety risks to our pets. Awareness, knowledge and attentiveness can go a long way to preventing a pet emergency. So before you get into the full hustle and bustle, let us help make the season merry and bright for your furry loved ones with our holiday pet safety tips.

In our little slice of heaven, it does get downright cold. The dry, windy, and frigid days to come are good reminders that it’s important to keep a pulse on winter pet safety. A basic rule is that if it’s too cold for you outside, it’s too cold for your pets. Read on for more tips for keeping your best friends safe, warm, and happy when winter winds blow.

The holidays are here, and for many of us, that means cozying up in the kitchen with our favorite recipes to share. Holiday tables and meals often mean family, and with 70% of pet owners considering pets a part of the family, sharing our favorite foods with them is the next logical step. But it this safe?

We’re all human, and it’s tough to resist those puppy dog eyes, but some traditional fare can pose serious risks to your pet’s health. Aside from adding a lot of calories and fat to your pet’s diet, over indulgence in high fat foods can trigger a condition called pancreatitis, which is painful and potentially life threatening.

Before you pull up a chair for your pet at the table, let’s explore holiday food safety for pets, and give you some pet friendly choices that you can feel good about.

As we move into the final months of the year, reminders to safeguard animal health and wellness become more pressing. Between Halloween and New Year’s Eve, pets have immeasurable access to all things savory and sweet. Sure, many pets have incredible impulse control. Others? Well, let’s just say they can’t even be in the same room as a gravy boat. Holiday indulgences cause cases of pancreatitis in pets to rise sharply, but it is entirely avoidable.

You Can Still Celebrate

Many animals won’t jump on the table or countertops on their own volition, but few can resist a tempting morsel if it’s being offered by a human hand. Planning on hosting a family dinner sometime this holiday season? Please be sure that your pet isn’t lingering beneath the table for any fallen bits, and ask your guests not to feed your pets even if they beg for a taste.

Many of us anticipate the celebration of Halloween all year long. For children and adults alike, the costumes, treats, and parties surrounding Halloween can be great fun. But this holiday can be particularly spooky for our pets. Blue Valley Animal Hospital looks at some ways to make “Fright Night” both safe and fun for pets as well as the entire family.

Pet Safety on Halloween

Here are a few tips and tricks to think about when it comes to pet safety on Halloween.

Just like humans, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies or allergies that persist throughout the year. In fact, allergies in pets is one of the most common issues we see in our patients. The symptoms can be intense and can severely impact your pet’s quality of life (and yours).

Pet allergies can be overwhelming, but armed with a little knowledge and support, they don’t have to be. Let the team at Blue Valley Animal Hospital help you every step of the way!